5754-O
Fully annealed. The softest condition, used for heads, dished ends and baffles with deep flanges or tight knuckle radii. Specified properties are the same band as H111.
Tanker plate guide
5754 O / H111 Aluminium Plate for Fuel and Liquid Tankers
5754 is a medium-strength aluminium-magnesium alloy (about 3 % Mg) that tank builders use for shells, heads and baffles carrying fuel, lubricating oil, water and food liquids at ambient temperature. In the soft O and H111 tempers it rolls, presses and welds easily, resists corrosion without coating and is one of the most widely available plate grades in Europe and Asia. This guide covers its properties, where it fits against 5083, 5182 and 5454, and how to order it.
- Alloy
- 5754 (AlMg3)
- Tempers
- O, H111
- Thickness
- 3 – 12 mm for tanks
- Standards
- EN 485 · EN 14286 · ASTM B209
What makes 5754 a tanker alloy
5754 belongs to the non-heat-treatable 5xxx family. Its strength comes from magnesium held in solid solution, topped up by a little manganese and chromium, so welding does not destroy a heat-treated condition the way it does in 6xxx alloys. A welded 5754-H111 tank keeps nearly the full strength of the parent plate.
Compared with the 4.5 % magnesium grades 5083 and 5182, 5754 is about a third weaker, so a 5754 shell may need to be slightly thicker for the same capacity and pressure. In return it is very forgiving to fabricate: it spins and presses into heads and dished ends without cracking, it is less prone to hot cracking during welding, and it is stocked by almost every European plate service centre, which helps builders who need fast replacement plate.
Its magnesium content (2.6 – 3.6 %) sits around the 3 % threshold above which Al-Mg alloys can sensitise during long service above 65 °C. For ambient fuel, oil and food cargo this is irrelevant; for asphalt or heated chemicals the lower-magnesium 5454 plate is the safer choice.
5754 chemical composition (wt %)
Values follow EN 573-3 (EN AW-5754, AlMg3), which matches the Aluminum Association registration used by ASTM B209.
| Element | Limit |
|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.6 – 3.6 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.50 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.30 |
| Mn + Cr | 0.10 – 0.60 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.20 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Others each / total | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 5754-O / H111 plate
| Condition | Tensile strength Rm | Yield strength Rp0.2 | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111, specified (EN 485-2, 3 – 12.5 mm) | 190 – 240 MPa | ≥ 80 MPa | about 17 – 18 % min |
| O / H111, typical | 215 MPa | 100 MPa | 22 – 25 % |
| H22 / H32, specified (for comparison) | 220 – 270 MPa | ≥ 130 MPa | lower |
Specified limits depend on the thickness band; the certificate shows the actual results. Typical values from published EN and ASM data.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.67 g/cm³
- Melting range
- about 600 – 640 °C
- Thermal conductivity
- about 130 – 140 W/m·K
- Thermal expansion
- about 24 µm/m·°C
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 70 GPa
5754-O or 5754-H111?
5754-H111
Annealed and then slightly strain-hardened by levelling or stretching. Practically the same strength and formability as O, but flatter, which suits long shell plates. It is the condition most tanker shell plate is ordered in.
When to step up
If the design wants a thinner, lighter shell, move to 5182-H111 or 5083-H111 rather than a harder 5754 temper: their higher strength survives welding, whereas H32 strength is lost in the heat-affected zone.
Using 5754 across a tanker
| Part | Temper | Typical thickness | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell | H111 | 4 – 8 mm | Rolled to an oval or circular barrel; wide plate means fewer seams |
| Heads | O | Shell thickness or more | Spun or pressed; soft temper avoids knuckle cracks |
| Baffles and bulkheads | O / H111 | 4 – 6 mm | Flanged and pierced for manholes |
| Walkways and covers | 5754 tread plate or 5052 tread | 2 – 4 mm | Anti-slip top surfaces |
| Cabinets and lockers | H111 / H22 sheet | 1.5 – 3 mm | Hose boxes and equipment lockers |
Typical cargoes for a 5754 tank include diesel, petrol and jet fuel, lubricating oil, water, milk, edible oils and many non-aggressive liquids. Food-contact tanks are usually internally polished; check the food-contact requirements of your market, as aluminium suitability depends on the product's acidity and salt content.
Welding and forming 5754 tank plate
- Filler: ER5356 is the standard choice and gives a good strength match; ER5183 where higher weld strength is needed. Avoid 4xxx fillers on Al-Mg tank shells, as Mg2Si can form in the weld.
- Process: pulsed MIG for long seams, TIG for nozzles and fittings. Clean with solvent and a stainless brush immediately before welding.
- Forming: O and H111 plate bends to about 1 × thickness up to 6 mm and around 1.5 – 2 × thickness above that.
- Corrosion: forms a protective oxide film; external painting is optional and mainly cosmetic.
- Testing: seams are radiographed or ultrasonically tested and the tank is leak- and pressure-tested to its design code.
5754 versus other tanker grades
| Grade | Min. yield (O/H111) | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5754 | 80 MPa | Fuel, oil, food liquids; easy fabrication | Thicker shell than 5083/5182 |
| 5182 | 110 MPa | Lightweight ADR fuel tankers | Not for sustained service above 65 °C |
| 5083 | 125 MPa | Fuel, cryogenic and marine duty | Not for sustained service above 65 °C |
| 5454 | 85 MPa | Asphalt, bitumen, heated chemicals | Lower strength than 5083/5182 |
5754 tanker plate: supply range and ordering
Supply range
- Thickness
- 3 – 12 mm (thicker on request)
- Width
- 1,000 – 2,600 mm
- Length
- 2,000 – 12,000 mm or cut to nesting plan
- Tempers
- O, H111 (H22 / H32 on request)
- Surface
- Mill finish; bright finish on request; PE film optional
- Standards
- EN 485, EN 14286, ASTM B209
- Certificate
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate
When you enquire, give temper, thickness, width and length per item, the order standard and quantity. Plate is supplied on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms in seaworthy crates.
References and standards
- EN 485-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 14286 – Weldable rolled aluminium products for tanks for the storage and transportation of dangerous goods
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- UNECE – ADR, chapter 6.8: construction of tanks for dangerous goods
5754 tanker plate: frequently asked questions
Is 5754 aluminium good for fuel tankers?
Yes. It resists fuels and oils, welds without losing strength and forms easily into heads and baffles. Its main drawback is lower strength than 5083 or 5182, so shells can be slightly heavier.
What is the difference between 5754-O and 5754-H111?
Both are annealed and have the same specified strength band. H111 has a small amount of strain hardening from levelling, which makes it flatter; it is usually used for shells, while O is used for deep-formed heads.
Can 5754 tanks carry hot cargo?
Not for long periods above about 65 °C. With up to 3.6 % magnesium, 5754 can sensitise in sustained hot service. Use 5454 for asphalt, bitumen and heated chemicals.
Which welding wire is used with 5754 aluminum plate?
ER5356 is the usual filler; ER5183 gives higher weld strength. Both are 5 % magnesium fillers suited to ambient-temperature tanks.
What is the US equivalent of 5754?
5754 is registered with the Aluminum Association and can be supplied to ASTM B209, but it is far more common in Europe. North American builders often use 5052 or 5454 for similar duties.
Need 5754 plate for a tanker build?
Send your plate list, tempers and order standard. Metline will reply with availability, certification and delivered pricing.
